Background: Matricaria chamomilla (MC) has a series of flavonoid compounds with
benzodiazepine-like properties.
Objective: So it may be effective in the treatment of epilepsy and seizures. We evaluate the effect
of intraperitoneally injection of hydroalcoholic chamomilla extract on seizures induced by
pentylenetetrazole in male rats.
Methods: In this study, 56 male rats (200 - 250 g) were divided into to seven groups (n = 8): 1 -
control (saline) 2 - MC 50 mg/kg, 3 - MC 100 mg/kg, 4 - MC 200 mg/kg, 5 - MC 500 mg/kg,
6 - Diazepam (0.2 mg/kg), 7 - Flumazenil (0.5 mg/kg) + MC 200. All groups received PTZ
(65 mg/kg/ip) 30 minutes after material injection and the animal's convulsive behavior were
recorded. The data were analyzed statistically by SPSS software with using one-way ANOVA
followed by Tukey test.
Results: The administration of hydroalcoholic extracts of chamomile, delayed onset of tonic
seizures in the animal's anterior limb and body at all used dosages. This effect was significant at
doses of 200 and 500 mg/kg, in compare with control group. Also the extract of chamomile reduced
the total duration of seizure and the duration of tonic -colonic seizures dose - dependently, that
were significant at 100, 200 and 500 mg/kg of dosage.
Conclusion: Intra-peritoneal administration of chamomile hydroalcoholic extract can effectively
reduce seizures that induced by PTZ in rats. Here by, it is recommended to identify its effective
components by conducting complementary research.